Canada to accept more skilled immigrants

OTTAWA — Canada plans to accept as many as 10,000 more skilled workers into the country in 2012, in part to help deal with a massive backlog in applications.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the primary stream for permanent immigration to Canada and next year, Citizenship and Immigration will accept between 55,000-57,000 people.

By the end of this year, between 47,000-47,400 skilled workers will have been accepted under this program.

“The government’s No. 1 priority remains the economy. We recognize the importance of immigration to our labour market and we value the contributions of skilled immigrants who add to our international competitiveness,” Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said in a press release Thursday.

“We are committed to facilitating the arrival of the best and the brightest to our country.”